Where I've Been and Where I've Yet To Go

Listening to - Kenny Chesney - Somewhere In The Sun

I think all pilots have an intrinsic desire to travel. Sure getting around the pattern for an hour is great fun, but I think we can all agree that it's the long trips that make flying worth while.

Traveling has always been something that I love to do be it alone, with friends, or family. I managed to compile a list today of places I've been to (and can remember; trips when I was two don't count!) and places that I want to go to for the first time. As I've discussed with friends I loved traveling abroad, but I think it would only be right for me to see more of the country that I live in first and foremost.

Here's a list of places I have been to already:

New York City and all of Central and Eastern Upstate New York, Boston, Washington-DC, Chicago, Omaha, Atlantic City-NJ, Central and Southern Florida, the Outer Banks of NC, nearly all of Virginia, Dallas-Forth Worth, Southern and Southeastern Alaska, Eastern Pennsylvania(Philadelphia/Poconos), Connecticut(Hartford, Bridgeport, Groton), Rome, Sicily, and Naples.

If I do say for a 21 year old that's quite a nice list.

More importantly here's the list of places I want to go. Granted it's a long list and who knows if I will be able to go to every one but a kid can dream right?

United States: Maine, Vermont, Colorado, Montana, Seattle (that layover doesn't count!), Mt. Rainer, Vegas, San Diego, San Fransisco, Mt. Washington (NH), Austin, The Alamo (San Antonio), Nashville, Gettysburg, Wright-Patterson AFB

Canada: Toronto, Montreal, Nova Scotia

Europe: London, Ireland, Paris, Germany, Austria, Greece, Northern Italy, Poland, and Russia

Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Finland

Australia (Haven't picked a city...)

Japan

Ambitious? At this moment in time yes, but I still have plenty of time to see them all. Places like Mt. Washington, Gettysburg, Wright-Patterson AFB, Montreal, and Toronto I can do in a weekend. Others will take some more planning, but that's another quality of a pilot - we're expert planners.

Lastly there are the places that I've been to and feel I must go to once again:

Sicily, Alaska, the Keys, and the Outer Banks.

Sicily is the epitome of subtropical beauty. With warm temperatures, the friendliest people on the Earth, amazing food, and some of the most stunning scenery (second only to Alaska) this will definitely be a trip I will make again.

Alaska There are no words I can use to express how much I loved that state. My ultimate goal would be to fly out there from New York. A bit more expensive than taking the airlines but a lot more of an adventure.

The Florida Keys were great when I visited back when I was 13 or 14. I'd love to go back to experience it again as a twenty-something. Fish - Kayak - Snorkel - Drink - Repeat... Mmm.. Sounds good to me.

Last summer my trip to the Outer Banks with the family was also a fun, relaxing time. One of my favorite things to do is to sit on the beach with a fire, some good beer and watch the sun go down while the stars light up. There ain't nothin' like fishing during the day and hangin' out at night.

Now if we combine my love of travel with my love of aviation you've successfully created one the reasons for why I fly. Why drive to Maine when I can watch the foliage go by at three thousand feet? Why deal with I-95 for twelve hours to the Outer Banks when I can fly there in close to six hours?

One day I will make a real vacation where I fly to my destination, but for now I can day dream of all the places in the world that are calling my name.

What places do you want to go to that you haven't been to? Where have you gone that you can't wait to go back?

This post was inspired partially by Sam over at FL250. If you've somehow never read his blog - definitely check it out. He's a very gifted writer and has some interesting stories. His discussion about the beauty of Montana made me think of the places I've been and where I've yet to go...

- Matt

On a side, but not forgotten note: Let's all say a little prayer for those whom lost their lives on this day seven years ago. Here in New York we've tried to move on and build up the calluses, but each year we all remember in our own little way.